By way of an interim direction, the Karnataka High Court today directed the State government to immediately evolve a mechanism for COVID-19 vaccination of persons with benchmark disabilities on priority basis..This apart, a Division Bench of Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Suraj Govindaraj passed the following directions:State may consider directing District Disability Officer to receive requests for vaccination by persons with disabilities or their caregivers by SMS, email or WhatsApp. State to make effective arrangements for providing vaccination to persons with benchmark disabilities by ensuring that they are not required to wait in queues at vaccination centres. The State shall also consider providing door-step vaccination in cases of those persons who are unable to travel or move owing to their disabilities.State to evolve a scheme for complying with aforesaid directions..The Court was hearing a petition seeking COVID-19 vaccination for persons with disabilities on a priority basis..In its order, the Court has clarified that while considering providing COVID-19 vaccination to persons with benchmark disabilities, even caregivers of such persons should be given vaccination on priority basis..During the hearing, the Court orally asked the State government to ensure that persons with disabilities do not have to wait in queues. "Do you expect persons with benchmark disability to go to places and wait in queues for vaccination?".Further, the Court said, "Thus, in view of Section 25 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 persons with benchmark disabilities should get priority in treatment. Treatment in present-day will include covid vaccination.".Advocate General Prabhuling Navadgi assured the Court that necessary steps will taken for persons with benchmark disabilities..The matter will be next heard on May 12, when the State shall file a memo informing the Court on the steps it has undertaken to this end.
By way of an interim direction, the Karnataka High Court today directed the State government to immediately evolve a mechanism for COVID-19 vaccination of persons with benchmark disabilities on priority basis..This apart, a Division Bench of Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Suraj Govindaraj passed the following directions:State may consider directing District Disability Officer to receive requests for vaccination by persons with disabilities or their caregivers by SMS, email or WhatsApp. State to make effective arrangements for providing vaccination to persons with benchmark disabilities by ensuring that they are not required to wait in queues at vaccination centres. The State shall also consider providing door-step vaccination in cases of those persons who are unable to travel or move owing to their disabilities.State to evolve a scheme for complying with aforesaid directions..The Court was hearing a petition seeking COVID-19 vaccination for persons with disabilities on a priority basis..In its order, the Court has clarified that while considering providing COVID-19 vaccination to persons with benchmark disabilities, even caregivers of such persons should be given vaccination on priority basis..During the hearing, the Court orally asked the State government to ensure that persons with disabilities do not have to wait in queues. "Do you expect persons with benchmark disability to go to places and wait in queues for vaccination?".Further, the Court said, "Thus, in view of Section 25 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 persons with benchmark disabilities should get priority in treatment. Treatment in present-day will include covid vaccination.".Advocate General Prabhuling Navadgi assured the Court that necessary steps will taken for persons with benchmark disabilities..The matter will be next heard on May 12, when the State shall file a memo informing the Court on the steps it has undertaken to this end.